KABUL: Italy has denied U.S. military aircraft permission to land at the “Sigonella” air base located on the island of Sicily, media reported.
Reuters reported today, citing the newspaper Corriere della Sera, which based its report on informed sources, that the aircraft were supposed to land at the Sigonella air base before heading toward the Middle East.
Sources, who requested anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter, confirmed to the newspaper that the U.S. “bomber aircraft” were not granted landing permission at the base. However, they did not provide details about the number of aircraft or the timing.
According to the sources, the aircraft were denied landing permission because prior coordination with Italy had not been completed.
Italy’s Ministry of Defense has declined to comment on the issue.
Left-wing opposition parties in Italy have urged the government not to allow the country to become involved in the war between the United States and Israel against Iran.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has also stated that if any request for Italy’s participation in the war is made, she will seek approval from parliament.